Lubricating device for needles



Feb. 2, 1932. w. H. NowN LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR NEEDLES Filedy March 22, 1927 Mzes.

Patented Feb. 2, 1932 sr'rss WILLIAM HENRY NOWN, OF LEICESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR-T`O 'UNITED VSHOE MA- CHINERY CORIPORATOIT, OF PATERSON, NEWJERSEY, A CORPORATION F NEW JERSEY LUBRICATINC- DEVICE FOR` `NEEIDIJilS Appncation sied Maren 22, 1927, serial No.

part of sewing machines and is particularly concerned with needle lubricating devices for wax-thread sewing machines. Machines of this type are frequently provided with devices for lubricating their needles in order to prevent wax from adhering thereto, to reduce the friction of the needle in its guide and tov l0 facilitate the passage of the needle through the work.

The particular object of the present invention is to provide a device for lubricating the needle of a wax-thread sewing machine which l will be simple and effective in use, will not require attention otherwise than preliminary adjustment on the part of the operator, will last without renewal for a considerable peri- 1 od, will economize in oil and will prevent oil from accumulating on the operative mechanism of the machine when it is standing` idle.

One feature of the invention consists in the provision of mechanism for relatively moving the needle and the lubricating device 5 or pad to secure a constant and efficient lubrication of the needle without at the same time subjecting the pad to excessive wear.

Another feature of the invention is in a curved needle sewing machine which com- 3) prises a curved needle, a lubricating device for the needle, a reservoir for the lubricant and means for controlling the supply of lubricant from the reservoir which is rendered operative to supply the lubricating device only when the machine is in operation.

The above and other features of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawing, of one form of lubricating device according to the present invention as applied for eXample to an outsole stitching machine of the type described in the patent to rlopham, No. 1,129,- 760, dated February 23, 1915.

In the illustrative form of device just referred to an oil reservoir 1 of the ordinary drip-feed or other convenient type is positioned in av convenient location upon the niachine head and is connected by a duct 2 to a V59 deliverypipe 3, the lower' end of which ter- 177 ,281, and in Great Britain April 5, 1926.

minates somewhat above the needle 4 and in the same vertical plane. Situated behind and to one side of the needle is a cam-actuated arm 5 pivoted on a shaft 6 by which the presser foot of the machine is raised and lowered during each cycle of the sewing operations of the machine. To the sleeve of this arm there is now ,secured a second arm 7 which has at its forward end an upright bore in which is held a pad 8 of felt or other absorbent material that projects a little below the under surface of the arm. As the cam-actuated arm 5 rocks about its shaft to raise and lower the presser foot the arm 7 carrying the felt pad will be raised to the lower end of the oil delivery pipe 3 and lowered to press against the Lipper side of the needle 4.

The timing of the cam-actuated arm 5 requisite to move the presser foot Aup and down as desired gives a motion to the pad arm 7 such that the pad is lowered upon the top of the needle just behind the needle guide indicated at 9 when the needle is at the top of its stroke, presses upon it with unvarying pressure while it makes part of its forward stroke and then ris-es to allow the passage of the needle holding jaws, indicated at 10, without contact between the latter and the pad.

Cyl

ln the stem 11 of the reservoir 1 is formed j a cylindrical guideway 12 extending diametrically across the oil duct 2. n this guideway slides a solid plunger 13 having a port or cylindrical passage 14 bored through it so that when this port 14 is in alignment with the duct 2 a free passage for the oil is formed therethrough, but not otherwise.

The plunger 13 is connected by any suitable means such as a Bowden wire 15 to an arm 16 which is the equivalent of the bell- ,Y

ts passage across the ,m

sewing is quite rapid so that little or no oil can pass through its port lll but as the machine is stopping the plunger 13 is Withdrawn more slowly (as will be understood by reference to aforesaid specilication) allow ing oil to pass through the port ll. Any oil that may be in the delivery pipe 3 will no-t flow out unless the port le in the plunger 13 is in line with the duct 2 as the plunger 13 is an air-tight tit in it guideway l2.

lVhen the machine has stopped the plunger 13 is in its most rearward position (as shown in the drawing) and the supply of oil is cut oit, thus preventing accumulation of the latter upon the needle and surrounding parts. By changing the ot the 'po-rt lll in the plunger i3 the amount ol' oil delivered each stroke ot the plunger can be regulated. lt a very small quantity only of oil is required the port may ot very small diaineter, if larger quantity is required the port may be larger in diameter or it may take the form of an elongated slot.

lt will ot course be understood that any suitable valve, slide or cock may be substituted 'for the plunger above described and that the means for automatically operating the same may be widely varied.

The nature and scope ot the invention having been indicated, and an embodiment of the invention havin@F been specifically described, what is claimen is:

l. ln a sewing machine the combination with a curved needle, of lubricating pad adapted to maire contact with the needle, an actuator' carrying the pad and movable to bring the pad into Contact with the needle, and means acting in timed relation to the stitching operation to cause the actuator to move the pad "from a position out o- Contact with the needle against the needle while the needle is stationary at the top ot its stroke, continue the pressure during a portion oi the down strolre ot the needle, and then to raise the pad.

2. In a sewing machine the combination witii a curved needle, orn a lubricating pad adapted to make contact with the needle, a reservoir tor supplying the pad, and means actuated only in starting and stopping the machine for controlling the supply of lubricant from the reservoir to the pad.

3. In a sewing machine the combination with a curved needle, of a lubricating pad adapted to make contact with the needle, a reservoir for supplying the pad, and means actuated only upon throwing the machine into and out oit operation for controlling the supply of lubricant from the reservoir to the pad to supply the pad only tor a short interval regardless of the number of stitching cycles in the operation.

1l. ln sewing machine provided with means lfor placing a tension on the thread upon starting the machine and for releasing the tension upon stopping the machine the combination with a curved needle, of a lubricating pad adapted to make contact with the needle, a reservoir for supplying the pad, and means controlled from the thread tensioning means tor controlling the supply of lubricant from the reservoir to the pad to supply the pad only during the operation ot the machine.

5. ln a sewing machine the combination with a curved needle, of a lubricating pad adapted to make contact with the needle, an actuator carrying the pad and movable to bring the pad into contact with the needle, and means acting in timed relation to the stitching operation to causethe actuator to press the pad against the needle only during the movement of the needle in one direction.

ln testimony whereofV I have signed my nameto this specification.

WILLIAM HENRY NOWN. p

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